Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-04-10

euch an idea. l would like TO see you
rugged up so that you could be sold for
ANYTHING hut white girl-and one Of the
best lookup that ever shook foot!"
"Stay where you are, and you shall
see."
Aud, with these words, Ada left the
room.
"Isdo wonder what the dear soul does
mean" muttered Malerson, wonderDglY,
when he was left alone. "She's thought
full creature-she isl" said he, as he
glanced at decanter of brandy which he
saw standing on the sidebOard, with
goblet near it. 81 wish l was younger
and handsomer," he added, after helping
himself to the beverage; "she might have
taken q shine to me herself. Once l
took among the girls like old rye amongst
X sntucky bOatmen. | was king pin
boss of the heap. But my day for that
has gone by"
The Old man sighed, as if he regretted
i, and then smiled over another glass Of
brandy.
This done, ne amused himself looking
at the pictures and furniture in the room.
"Nica traps" he murmured "Must
have cost pile of dimes. What a fool
Paul was not TO keep in with her Such
capital taste she has in brandy"
And he took another nip to Justify his
last opinion.
"oie stays mighty long time" con-
tfnued the Captain. 81 wonder what she's
a-doing."
At that moment a very bright and
pretty quadroon girl, arrayed precisely as
that class do in New Orleans, entered the
room.
"Girl, where's Mss Ada?" asked the
Captain, after looking at her intently for
8 moment.
The girl made no reply, but stood still,
and looked ct him.
"Maybe you don't belong; here?" he
said, inquiringly.
"Guess 1 does, Massa MaIerson," said
the grl.
$50 I suppose, since you know my
name, my flower O tansy. But where is
Miss Ada?"
"Never q great ways off when Pm
around, Masse Cap'n," said the girl,
showing her white teeth.
"But that isn't answering my question,
my yellow diamond"
F'WeI, Massa John, you answer me one
question, den I'll tell you Whar to fad
Missy Ada"
"WeIl, ask your question; III take a
nip of brandy aud answer it," said Mailer
son, suiting his action to the word.
"What eye think a nice yaller gal like
me is with in de Orleans maTket?"
"Well, let's see. | reckon you're about
eighteeE-well made up, clean rugged.
aud t0lerablv good lOOkin' for one of
vour color. Your hair isn't kinky, and
Shines like q black hOre's mane-teerh
/ ayE-fA
[ reckon You'd go close on TO $500
maybe $1,000 to an Old chap Ike me-"
"A pretty high priCe-yet not half what
I set upon myself" said Ada (tor it was
stel, speaking now IN her natural voice
"WeI, Pm willing 10 be swallowed by
g Frenchmdn for a frog" exclaimed the
I Captain, in surprise. "Why, Miss Ada,
if your natural mother was here she
wouldn't know yOu."
"rhat is aIl l wish 10 know. Now,
prepare your disguise as well. l shall
carry money enough with me for all pur-
poses"
The keen eyes of Ma,ersOn flashed as
with q new idea, and Re saiO:
"All right, Hiss Ada: l viii be ready
by morning Bus it won't do FOR you TO
carry money; that would be so out of
character for your new part, it might lead
70 the discovery that you was pos
SUNNI"
"Possibly so. l Will therefore intrust
nv funds to you; but my weapons | will
keep to myself. And Mark me, Captain
MaIerson, if see q sign Of treachery in
you, you will be my first viCtim."
"B .ess your dear soul, Miss Ada! I'd
sooner think of cutting my own throat
than that. You can depend upon me to
the last--to the very last!"
"Iuterest leads the best of men," said
Ada, quietly, "Let it lead you in this
case, Tor I Will make it to your interest to
DO my bidding. But now l mast beg you
/ to leave me for the night; I have much to
arrange before morning. Cali then, and
ask my own seTvant-Whom | shall leave
here until l come bac6-for Lena and l
will, under that name be reaOy to travel
with you. You may have many offers for
ne on the route, but upon the least sign
Of your treachery t. mt, will r>veal my
self and puaish you"